Rumor: Smash Bros swaps Ice Climbers for Ridley, others

32Footsteps, it is true that Ditto was going to be in SSBM, but not as a playable character. It was going to be one of the possible Pokemon that could emerge from a Pokeball. It would then take the form of the person who threw it and fight as a copy of that person for a short while. Ditto is even listed (w/ a screenshot) in the official Nintendo Power guide for the game in the index covering Pokeball Pokemon, suggesting that its removal from the game was a very late decision.

"Ness is fairly popular, among all us Earthbound fans at least."

O.K. that's nice, but with all the gamers out there, and with varying age groups (most of which, myself included, haven't heard of or played a Earthbound game), the percentage of Earthbound players are not a huge number.

And it still doesn't matter if Earthbound players love him. Popularity-wise, Ness is still unpopular with all the other choices of characters in the game.

Also rainking187, prior to SSBM, i was a casual gamer (hell, i still am). But before the game, i've never heard of "Ness" or "Ice Climbers". So, naturally I went for more well known characters like Mario, Samus, or Link.

I went for those because even though i've never played a Nintendo game before, I still knew those characters. That's why they keep getting sequals. Even non/casual gamers know about them.

Last I checked Nintendo hasn't made a new Earthbound or Ice Climbers game since (i think) the SNES. Only now they decide to bring back Earthbound but it's known now as the "Mother" series.

I don't mean to say anything negative about these titles (they're both made by Nintendo, that's good enough for me). All I'm saying is that Nintendo doesn't concider them "primary" titles. Which is why non/casual gamers (like myself) barely know them.

^which is why Ness and Ice Climbers probably won't be in SSBB.

I think it's a hoax; every OTHER news site with this information, cites their source as that one french site, that's it.

I wouldnt' be surprised if GW is really axed in the end, though. It's already been confirmed some characters are going to get the ax, and GW appearing 2nd time around isn't really as interesting. I'd say Pichu leaving is practically a gauruntee.

I doubt Ness will leave, though. I think all the original 64 characters are going to stay.

Finally, I Marc, I think your argument works both ways. Adding relatively unknown characters to the roster helps Nintendo, too. Virtually no one outside of Japan knew who Marth and Roy was, because the Fire Emblem franchise was contained in Japan; but once they appeared in Melee, they gained popularity; now suddenly there's two GBA and an upcoming Wii games as part of the Fire Emblem franchise hitting North America/Europe/other regions.

"Finally, I Marc, I think your argument works both ways."

Yes! That's what i was aiming for!

Seconds later, half a million Nintendo fanboys exploded.

I've discovered amongst Smash players that their opinions on Ness are entirely dependent on three factors. One is if they played the original Smash Bros. (and saw what Ness was like before they nerfed him harder than anyone else from the first game). One is if they played EarthBound in the first place. And one is if they figured out how to properly use PK Thunder as a saving maneuver. If any one of those is a yes, then they like Ness. But if you say no to all three, you question Ness' presence in the game.

Of course, Ness is my best character, so I'm really hoping he's kept. Given how fanatical EarthBound fans can be even in this country (just because you haven't met them, Marc, doesn't mean they don't exist), I'd honestly be surprised if Ness was dropped.

Also, Marc, you really need to catch up on your gaming history. The series has always been called "Mother" in Japan; EarthBound is just the American name for it. Hardly the only instance of a game getting a new name when it gets ported to North America.

White Rose: "Luigi is not that different from Mario"

Luigi has a one hit jigglypuff-style kill move, while Mario has a reflect. Their speed/damage are totally different. The only moves they have in common are their fireballs, which act completely differently, and their down and b which also act completely differently. Doc is the "clone" of mario, while Luigi is at best "similar." I wouldn't mind seeing his moves re-vamped, but as is he doesn't play like mario that much. Maybe give him his haunted mansion vacuum?

Am I making this up, or is there the lost japanese sequel to Mother coming out here in the states for gameboy advance? I'm not sure where I saw it, but I thought there was some american re-release coming out soon. Also, think about how the addition of Roy and Marth to Melee gained more interest in the Fire Emblem series when it came out on the GBA. Going a little obscure may have a purpose.

I don't think that they have to pick 'the most popular' in terms of franchises. They can go a little whacky with characters and easily get away with it. What they WILL do is get rid of the less popular characters in the Smash game itself to make room for some fresh faces. It's exciting to see new people, and even though they can have as many characters as they want in theory- I'd rather have some of the lesser loved ones taken out so we can see some new stars shine. This especially goes for the fact that we're seeing potential for other franchises. If you have to axe Game and Watch so I can get Bomberman- do it. I loved the hot links as much as the next guy, but cross-company brawls are too cool to ignore.

I've been talking to my friends lately about the items. Remember when they took the bumper out of the first one, and then the "flipper" was the kind of unofficial replacement? What items would you like to see gone forever (keeping in mind you can always turn items off)? I also brought this up in the last SSBB news post, but what about the idea of using an other company's franchise in levels or items? Yeah we're all expecting Sonic- but what Zones will we be fighting in?

Lastly, I'd like to see some levels from the first game come back- namely the original Hyrule.

Almost forgot; Ness was completely nerfed, but I feel it was necessary. I played a kid who was insanely good with Ness on the 64, and it was rediculous. I'd knock him off a level, and he'd be so low that you couldn't even see him on the screen. At all, no more Ness. A few more inches and he's gone. Dead? No. He'd do his up and B, perfectly execute the circle and knock himself back up onto the level.

They had to adjust the range of that knockback with the up and B, and it's damage too. I would agree that the pendulum maybe swung a little too far in the opposite direction, but there has to be proper character balance for a fighting game to be popular. Maybe I just didn't play the original enough to find his weak points, but I'm glad there is no clear "best character" in Melee.

Something that really irritates me is that 1UP basically cites this rumor as a fact. I swear, there's a 90% chance this is false. Sakurai wouldn't reveal 3 characters in one sitting, relatively shortly after revealing 5 characters at E3. None of this news has shown up anywhere else; not at nintendo.com, nor smashbros.com Every article cites the French site as the source. Hardly reliable if you ask me.

Am I the only one who liked the Ice Climbers?

Oh, I loved the Ice Climbers. They could juggle like nobody's business, were excellent at hold attacks, and the Squall Hammer is easily one of the most underrated moves in the game. They have a higher learning curve than most characters (around the same as Jigglypuff, but not as high as Ness), but were effective even solo. As a pair, in the right hands, absolutely devestating.

And I'd actually say that the pendulum landed in just the right spot for Ness. He still has a nice number of powerful moves (the flying dropkick is my personal favorite, although the PK shove and the Bat smash are also great), he has deceptively decent range, and his throws are the best in the game. Also, the PK Cannonball (when you launch a PK Thunder into yourself) is the single most powerful non-charge move in the game. Plus, he's all around good at fighting aerial battles. Given his actual strengths, he requires a different playing style than I've seen most use, but it's extremely effective.

Taking characters out because they are "unpopular" is very unfair to the people that use them. Personally, I don't regularly use Game and Watch or Ice Climbers, but for the principle of the game, it shouldn't happen. If they were big enough Nintendo All-Stars to be put in the game in the first place, why can't they stay in now?

On the subject of Ness, a high learning curve should not be counted against him. In the end, he is just as balanced as every other character (minus Pichu). His movelist is completely unique to any other character in the game, and yet he's still not good enough for some people to be in the game?

My hope is that Sakurai reverses his decision and decides not to take any characters out.

Sakurai should keep Ness because he was on the N64.He was an original and good character.Representing "Eathbound",Ness,if he would to get dropped Sakurai would lose an amazing Nintento character.Oh and Ridley is a cool addition!

Y'all should do a tag team thing like:

MARIO and LUIGI MARIO,LUIGI,BOWSER
v.s. OR v.s.
DK and DK JR. DK,DKJR.,DIDDY KONG

MACH RIDER and METAL MARIO should be in there.

Also there could be a possible way to unlock MASTER HAND but it has to be extremely hard or maybe a secret. PEACE OUT!

I don't think they should remove any character, just add complete skillsets. I also think it would be awesome if you could make ur own character/skillset although that would be very hard to regulate pwnageness. They could have maybe, one of each type of move to choose from; if they did it right it would be dang sweet.

32_Footsteps, (sorry this is so long)
read this

"Also, Marc, you really need to catch up on your gaming history. The series has always been called "Mother" in Japan; EarthBound is just the American name for it."

Seriously? I didn't know that (but then i am a casual gamer). And I know there are plenty of Ness fans out there. But, in my opinion, most people prefer another character.

32_Footsteps, your ideas about the three "rules of mastering Ness", are completely 100% right. HOWEVER, like i said before, that is too high of a learning curve. This game should be relativly easy for anyone.

It is easy for Earthbound fans, probably, because they want to use their favorite character. So, naturally, they are gonna take the extra time to master him. I can say the same for me and my friends.

I love Mario titles, but i prefer Luigi. So, naturally he's my man. My other friend kills with Link (even though he's never played a LOZ game before). Another of my friends destroys me (constantly) with Roy.

All I'm saying is that there are other chioces for other gamers. And most just don't like Ness or don't have the time to learn all his controls. They prefer an easy, yet strong character that can still hold his own in the ring.

And please, to everyone (especially Earthbound fans) I don't like the idea of Ness or any other character being swapped for another. I love Nintendo and ALL their characters. I just prefer some characters over others (but they're ALL good in my book;)).

So if i offended any (and all) Earthbound fans, you have my apologizies. But I still stand by what I said.

Even though i don't like giving up Nintendo characters, I'm willing to make sacrifices so that other lesser known characters get their time to shine!

^Can we all agree on that?

Also to response for my other posts, You can keep Ness. I like him, but i don't PLAY as him. I know he's a classic. But still I'd like to see some fresh faces.

In my opinion, they should get rid of all the "classic" characters (except for Mario, Link, and Samus. They're the most recognizable as "Nintendo"). And use some lesser known, but still loved, characters, hell maybe a few villans (bosses).

Actually, I'd LOVE to see new bosses. And what i'm saying here isn't even coincidering third party characters (i vote for Sonic, Megaman, and Snake).




I still stand by my plea to you guys and girls out there,
"Even though i don't like giving up Nintendo characters, I'm willing to make sacrifices so that other lesser known characters get their time to shine!

^Can we all agree on that?"

Well, can we?

Hey,Sakurai,you should put CONKER,GREGG(Reaper from Bad Fur Day)BANJO,and KAZOOIE in that game.These are cool NINTENDO characters you know.

ok 1st off i agree wit #22 keep every1 so their happy 2nd jus add characters i say we add...

toad
daisy
bowser jr
birdo
wario
waluigi
diddy kong
baby mario n baby luigi as a team
krastal
zero suit samus
sonic
tails
meta knight
king deedee
blazikin
deoxis
ridly
paper mario
pit
snake
majora mask kid
black shadow evil captin falcon dude
dark samus
mega man
veintful joe
king k rool
general scales
captin olimar (even thou it'd b hard)

counting the last 25 gives us 53 n that would be all the people i want 4 the game